Basketball

AfroBasket Champion Murjanatu Musa Returns Home, Inspires Air Warriors with Gifts and Words of Wisdom

Published

2 months ago

August 9, 2025

Fresh off her dazzling triumph at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Côte d’Ivoire, D’Tigress forward Murjanatu Liman Musa made a heartfelt return to familiar territory — her former club, Air Warriors Basketball Club of Abuja — on Friday.

With a warm smile and the poise of a champion, Musa arrived bearing gifts: brand-new basketballs and other donations for the players in camp. Her gesture, she said, was about more than charity — it was a call to chase greatness with hard work, discipline, and resilience.

The 25-year-old knows the Air Warriors story from the inside. Between 2018 and 2019, she wore the club’s colours with pride, leaving her mark as a star performer in their 2019 Women’s Basketball League title win and earning the coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) honour that season.

Now shining in France’s Ligue Féminine de Basketball with Tarbes Gespe Bigorre, Musa told the team she had never forgotten her roots.

“If you stay focused and determined, success will come,” she encouraged, her words echoing in the gym.

The Chairman of Air Warriors Basketball Club, Alhaji Abdulmajid Solademi, praised Murjanatu Musa for staying connected to her roots and taking time to inspire the next generation of players. He lauded her visit as a powerful reminder that true champions never forget where they started.

Solademi also extended his commendation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as an unprecedented gesture that has the potential to transform Nigeria’s sporting landscape.

“The recognition of the girls’ performance by the number one citizen of the country is unbelievable — not to mention the cash rewards, properties, and the national honour bestowed on them,” he said. “This is the kind of support that can change the face of sports forever, and it will inspire countless young people to see sports as a viable and rewarding career path.”

The players, visibly inspired, hailed her generosity and hailed her journey as proof that dreams can take you from local courts to the global stage. With gratitude in their voices, they wished her even greater heights in her career.

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Basketball

Nigeria @ 65: Igoche Mark Pays Homage to Nigerian Athletes for Contributions

Published

4 days ago

October 1, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence anniversary on Wednesday October 1, Basketball Promoter and Initiator of Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, Mr. Igoche Mark, has commended the country’s athletes for their outstanding contributions.

In a heartfelt message, Mr. Mark praised active and retired athletes for consistently putting Nigeria on the global map through their dedication, hard work, and achievements. “Your dedication, hard work, and achievements have not only brought us pride but have also inspired a generation of Nigerians,” he stated.

The Sports Administrator urged the National Sports Commission to establish a platform to celebrate these athletes and recognize their invaluable contributions to Nigerian sports. He emphasized the need to honour their legacy and provide a framework for their continued involvement in sports after retirement.

To support athletes in transition, Mr. Mark recommended that “retirement plans be implemented to ensure a seamless transition into life after sports. This would enable athletes to plan for their future and maximize their post-athletic careers.”

Furthermore, he proposed a welfare package for retired athletes, including access to healthcare, education, and economic empowerment programs. “By doing so, we can show our appreciation for their service and ensure that they are taken care of,” Mr. Mark added.

As Nigeria celebrates its 65th Independence anniversary on October 1, with the theme “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” Mr. Mark’s sentiments echo the sentiments of many Nigerians who believe in the importance of recognizing and supporting the country’s athletes.

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